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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

1979 Catalina 25 - Refit 2025

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Jerry Bennett
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/08/2025 : 22:16:18

Hi everyone, I'm new around here and I am hoping to ingratiate myself with the harborers of esoteric sailboat lore and wisdom.. I'll do this by searching for the knowledge that I seek via a forum search first so as to not waste you all's valuable time. Only when the search fails will I ask for help. I may even be able to contribute some knowledge myself when it comes to metal fabrication, but I won't blow smoke if I don't have first-hand knowledge on a topic.

In 1989 or so, I spent the better part of 2 weeks during spring break from GT on a brand spanking new Tayana 37 knocking around the Gulf departing from New Port Richey area. I grew up saltwater fishing off of Amelia Island, GA for King Mackerel and such, but I had never been on a sailboat... fell in love with it. I knew for certain right then and there that upon graduation, I would be getting an entry level job somewhere on the FL coast where I could live onboard a fixer-upper sailboat while working as a mechanical engineer. Didn't work out though lol... engineering jobs were scarce in the early 90's and I ended up in the Midwest and later Denver and have only just now returned home to somewhere close to the ocean and shortly I will be relocating to Brunswick, GA permanently.

I am grateful to have found such a solid owners association.

Jerry Bennett

Edited by - Jerry Bennett on 03/13/2025 17:47:30

Jerry Bennett
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2025 : 22:28:24

My first step upon towing the boat back to GA was to completely empty the boat and to open all storage compartments and give everything a thorough scrubbing. The boat is pretty clean but has been setting for a couple of years looks like so it has accumulated some grime that I'm pressure washing off.

The cushion covers were in pretty bad shape, so they have been dropped off at my local upholsterer. I should have them back in a couple weeks - cost is $2,600 for all new cushions and to install new windows in the pop-top cover as the original ones have yellowed. And finally, I shook out all 10 (yes 10) sails that came along with the boat.. aired them out and did some slight cleaning to some, then folded and rebagged them.

I would like to add a few pictures to this post but it doesn't seem to have a vehicle to do so. The Commodore said that he would upload pics for me but I'm hoping for the ability myself so I don't have to bug him... any advice?

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
842 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2025 : 00:26:12

Hi Jerry,

Welcome aboard.
The forum doesn�t support photos directly, but you can add external links.
First, there is a testing forum where you can try.
https://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=1

On the Testing Forum, there is a post about how link photos from external sites.
Notice the post is 20-years old.
That was when Shutterfly was free.
If you have another website with your photos, you can try.

Since you are a member, the Members Area has a photo feature.
Login to Members Area, on the menu, select List My Images.
Select Upload Images and follow the instructions.
Back on the List My Images page, your photos should appear.
For each of your images, there is a details icon.
On the details page, there is a forum box with a URL
Copy the URL, then come back to the Testing Forum and paste into a new topic.
It will take some practice, but once you do it a few times, you will remember.

Russ Johnson
2005 C250WB Hull 793

Edited by - Russ.Johnson on 03/09/2025 01:05:35

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5344 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2025 : 08:59:50

Jerry welcome to the C-25/250 Forum. Yes, if you ask questions about your boat and its component parts (sails, rudder, mast, cabin, cockpit, electrical, engine, rigging), you�re likely to receive a great deal of advice - and much of it will even be correct!
You�re right - there�s a ton of documentation here from the original Catalina manuals listed on the left margin and through the countless stories, experiences, and photos that folks have collected here. Often we can learn just as much from what folks did right - replace the wire rigging, tighten the rudder bolts, flush out your engine�s carburetor, replace the lighting - as we can learn from what folks did wrong the first time, and came back to get it right after all.
I would say that the lifeblood of this forum is folks� generosity - a willingness to share the details with our colleagues.
Best of luck to you working on your awesome new-to-you sailboat.
Fair winds!

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Jerry Bennett
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2025 : 17:51:03

Thanks @Voyager.. I lived in Windsor, CT for a couple years.. loved visiting Mystic... had a yearly pass for the aquarium.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9073 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2025 : 09:02:48

quote:
Originally posted by Jerry Bennett

...loved visiting Mystic... had a yearly pass for the aquarium.

Had to comment... I liked Mystic so much I moved here--it's a short walk to the Aquarium--slightly longer to the Seaport--my boat is in a slip on the river outside of my condo. Welcome to the group!

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Jerry Bennett
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2025 : 17:58:22

Nice, what an iconic area to be living in... very cool. I loved checking out the Tall ships.. Can't remember if that's where I saw the Constitution up close... might have been Gloucester though.

Jerry Bennett
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2025 : 11:04:19

After some further discussion with Leon, I've decided to forgo the Li battery upgrade for now... he made a good point about changing something before you ever use it. So, I will be shelving the new Li batteries, which I will need in a few years anyway for my next project anyway. Here's my refit list.

- Top to bottom cleaning - 100% complete. I'm scrubbing everything down, but it's just surface grime and is cleaning up nice. I've decided to hold off (for now) on painting the bilges and storage compartments after cleaning..

- Bottom paint - going to buy boat stands so that I can get the boat up off the trailer for sanding and painting.

-Gelcoat... the gelcoat on the hull is pretty rough in spots thanks to the owner prior to Leon. I know nothing about working with gelcoat, so my choices are to hire it out so that the color gets matched properly, or I could paint over it with an epoxy paint. Advice is most welcome here.

- Trailer work. This work will take place at the same time as the bottom sanding and painting. The idea is to use 2 stands to support one end of the boat while the air is let out of tires. Hopefully this gives enough room for me to dismantle the roller support arms and upgrade the hardware to SS... if not some jacking will be involved.
The trailer is an ez-load with rubber rollers... 64 of them. All but (2) rollers need replaced and all of the hardware that fastens the roller arms to the trailer is rusted out and needs replaced with SS hardware. I may also need to rig up a trailer tongue extension of 6' or so as I don't think I will be able to get the trailer in deep enough water otherwise.

- Cushions - splurged for new. should have them in a couple of weeks

- Yamaha 9.9 2s outboard. Thinking about taking this motor into someone that knows what they are doing for an overhaul and remaining life assessment.

- Purchase a Honda 2KW portable generator since I'm not going to install an onboard inverter and sufficient battery capacity.

- Rebuild Leon's Catalina alcohol stove to propane stove... if this proves too much then purchase a camp stove that fits the area

- Install trailer electric winch and rig for mast stepping - ie add a snatch block and a short extension to the trailer post to get the winch cable run above the gunwales so it won't chafe.

- fabricate a gin pole of sorts to raise the mast. I have researched a design that is pretty clever and will only require me to weld up a 6-8' pole with an angle iron clamp to attach the mast and two tie down points for the halyards and a ring on the end of the pole for attaching the winch hook.

- New roller furler and headsail.. bought a mainsail cover and plan to stay with original mainsail for now

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Edited by - Jerry Bennett on 03/27/2025 11:01:35

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5344 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2025 : 05:29:59

Two suggestions on your gel coat. If the color is uniform, but you have some oxidation, clean it thoroughly, buff out the oxidation, and get some PoliGlow to add back the shine. It provides a nice deep semi-gloss overcoat provided you can make the underlying surface uniform in color and texture. Unfortunately if you have drastically different shades or obvious repairs, they�ll be preserved and obvious. But if you have a good base, you�ll be delighted with the results.
Option 2 is painting over the damaged gelcoat. There are two options here: one part polyurethane paint, also called �Topsides� paint, and two part polyurethane.
If you have real damage, you might need to fill the digs, repair crack, and flatten the surface first. Then you can paint.
One part goes on easy: clean, then prep with acetone, do a coat of primer underneath, then paint one or two coats. Goes on easy in a few weekends, but it�s susceptible to scratches, wear, and crazing over time. I used it on a dinghy and it looked great for a few years, but required constant maintenance after awhile. Not advised for a C25.
Two part polyurethane uses paint plus an activator. The paint requires similar preps, then you have to roll it on and have your helper �tip� the surface right behind with a dry brush. The resulting finish is much harder and very smooth, and lasts way longer and requires much less maintenance.
Some people prefer to spray it on, however, you need an environmental suit plus breathing apparatus since it emits dangerous fumes. Using the roll and tip method outdoors is much safer.
Don Casey�s book �Sailboat Maintenance� goes into much greater detail about it. Many local libraries offer the book, or you may wish to purchase it, since it�s a great reference to have for all sorts of projects.
Whatever you do, do the research, and do the prep first. You won�t regret it.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 03/21/2025 05:36:30

Jerry Bennett
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2025 : 17:23:50

Thank you for the info. I checked the book out from my onsite Leon-library and am giving it a read... as part of the boat sale, Leon gifted me his extensive library about 8' of bookshelf space of sailing books/magazines/charts/etc. lol.. awesome resource

Speaking of Leon, I discussed the topside coating with him. He maintains and I agree that repairing the original gelcoat is the way to go instead of painting... but it means that I have to go on a search for a gelcoat master that will match the color for me (have a sample hull piece) so that I can repair a few areas.. after having buffed to arrive at what the actual color is.. hopefully the hull color still matches the sample piece that I have.

I swear that every time I talk to Leon, I end up buying a new power tool. In this instance its a DeWalt 7" cordless buffer and a box of wool polishing pads.

I am going to use EZEpoxy on the dinghy though, So I will get to see how it holds up.

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5344 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2025 : 12:01:58

Jerry, it sounds great. Hopefully you can find a gelcoat guru in your area. Of course springtime is peak season for all things boat maintenance-related.
A friend bought a late 1970s Sabre 386 39ft sailboat in the late 90s.

This is brochure for the original boat.
https://sabreyachts.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sabre/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12103541/386brochure.pdf

He had the yard use Awl-Grip 2 part polyurethane paint in a deep navy blue with a white boot stripe and red waterline stripe. The color, texture, and medium gloss shine were all stunning, and the finish held up for the entire 10 years he had the boat.
While I originally had my doubts about a painted finish on a boat, this convinced me.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 03/26/2025 15:30:29

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2025 : 10:17:29

Awl-grip is the gold standard for topside refinishing but really needs professional application. That said, I know people who have taken their boat (Ensign) to an auto body shop and asked for Awl-Grip be applied. It saved them money and turned out well.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2025 : 11:06:45

I've never done it, but saw a friend's old, classic sailboat that was painted with Awl Grip by a technique called "rolling and tipping," and it looked very nice. If you paint it outside, you can be sure it will catch an occasional insect, but it can be sanded away and touched up. Here's a link.
https://youtu.be/JLJOXD9fiBs

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

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